AP Unit 2/3 Flashcards
(16 cards)
Senate
represents states equally (2 per state)
confirmations and treaties
Term Lengths in the house
2 year terms
Term lengths in the Senate
6 year terms
Congress
makes the laws
breaks down into senate and house of representatives
Pork barrel legislation
Pork barrel legislation refers to government spending that is directed toward specific local projects—often to benefit a legislator’s own district—in order to gain political support or favor with constituents
Logrolling
You vote for my bill, I’ll vote for yours
Presidents powers Pocket Veto
The President just ignores the bill, and if Congress isn’t around to receive it (they’re on break),
the bill dies quietly without a signature.
Congress can’t do anything about it
Presidents power Veto
The President says “No” to a bill by sending it back to Congress with reasons.
Congress can try to pass it anyway if enough members (two-thirds) agree.
signing statments
President explains how they interpret a new law
Precedent & stare decisis
Rulings are based on earlier cases
Changes in Court makeup
When new judges (especially on the Supreme Court) are added or old ones leave, the balance of opinions can shift.
Iron triangle
Iron Triangle = tight group, long-term teamwork on policy’s
issue network
Issue Network = loose group, temporary teamwork on one problem
How does congress check the burreacy
Holding hearings
Using the “power of the purse” (money control)
Making sure laws are implemented as intended
Selective incorportation
Originally, the Bill of Rights only protected you from the federal government.
Thanks to selective incorporation, many of those rights now also protect you from state and local governments
Power of the purse
the ability of a government body—usually the legislature—to control money and spending.
